Flourish Friday - Kuretake ZIG Calligraphy Markers

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I was contacted by a representative of Kuretake, the makers of ZIG Calligraphy markers, asking if they could post some of my work on their website.  As a thank you for granting permission, Kuretake sent me a wonderful assortment of their markers.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Woohoo!! I have been using ZIG Calligraphy and Brushables markers for years, but included in the package were some pens that were new to me.  The representative told me they are getting ready to launch a new range of sparkly pens called "Wink of Stella." Sounds wonderful!

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I really like the new "Journal & Title" markers. They have a 3.5mm broad edge on one end and a .5mm bullet tip on the other.  The size is perfect for me. I like the combination of broad edge and bullet tip on one pen too. 

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

On the "Calligraphy" markers, there's a 5mm on one end and a 2mm on the other.  I like the 5mm for decorating, but it's usually too large for the lettering I want to do.  

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

The 3.5mm size on this new "Journal & Title" marker is great.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

According to the Paper & Ink Arts catalog, they're available in a variety of colors.  I think ZIG markers are a great option for beginning calligraphers.  My guild's president, Cathy Arnold, organized a service project with an Indianapolis area school.  Guild members spent several weeks teaching calligraphy to students using ZIG Calligraphy markers.  See photos from the project by clicking here.  The kids loved it, and the project was a huge success. 

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

Another new marker from ZIG I'm lovin' is the "Calligraphy Metallic Colours."  

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I love working on dark paper, and I really like these markers for that.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

There is a 3.5mm broad edge on one end and a 2mm broad edge on the other. It's nice to letter with the 3.5mm size and then go back with the 2mm in a different color to add shadows - or to add a stroke within a stroke.

©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC

I haven't been able to play with the rest of the markers yet. There's Brushables (which I use regularly), Art & Graphic Twin, Fine & Chisel, Millennium, Kurecolor, Artist Sketching Pen, Vellum Writer...a smorgasbord of marker goodness! I think the Millenniums will be nice for monoline lettering, ruling, and Zentangles. Do you use ZIG markers? Leave a comment and let me know your favorites and in what ways you use them.  I'm especially unfamiliar with the Kurecolor.  

Kuretake is a Japanese company. (For the Japanese website, click here. There's an English button at the top.)   Kuretake UK Limited handles all the distribution for western markets.  You can view the Kuretake UK website by clicking here, and the gallery of artists' work by clicking here.  My page is here.

Hasn't your heart been broken for the people of Japan?  The events of this past week have been overwhelming. A few of you have asked about the family my son, Matt, stayed with when he participated in a student exchange. They are fine. Although they felt the earthquake, there was no significant damage in their area.  They are shocked and overcome with sadness for their countrymen. They are very worried about the nuclear plant and the efforts to keep water in the spent fuel storage pools. 

Calligraphy by my son, Matt.  (The Kanji for "Japan")

The Japanese are a big part of the calligraphy community. Even here in middle-America, many times there will be Japanese students enrolled in a calligraphy class.  Certainly, the Internet has made our world a smaller place.  We realize how connected we are.  I've been thinking of John Donne's Meditation No.17 from "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions" (No man is an island/For whom the bell tolls) I've lettered it in the past, but I want to do it again:

No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if aPromontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

I'm sorry to be so wordy this week. 

For the people of Japan, let's all continue to pray and give.